Papers of E M T Epelle

The collection contains: correspondence between Epelle and Professor Andrew Walls; written histories of Nigerian churches and associated reports; and completed questionnaires on African traditional religions.

E M T Epelle was a research assistant in the Department of Religion, University of Nigeria, Nsukka. He was involved in a project, initiated by Professor Andrew Walls and partially funded by the Theological Education Fund, to document church histories in Eastern Nigeria. His aim was to collect church histories and acquire historical materials for all denominations in each district.

The author of Writing a Local Church History (University of Nigeria, 1965), Epelle visited each area, gathered together church leaders and workers, and lectured them on the methods of writing the history of their church. He encouraged the formation of local History Committees who were charged with the responsibility of writing the histories which were then checked by Epelle. The final versions were deposited in the University and a copy was usually sent to Professor Andrew Walls at Aberdeen University. At the same time Epelle attempted to document African traditional religions by meeting with tribes and leaders in each area. The material that Epelle collected between 1965 and 1967, including early church records, was lost during the civil war but some of the copies in Aberdeen survived. Epelle resumed his gathering of information as soon as he could and also frequently lectured on church history and traditional religions. He continued his research until his sudden death on 10 May 1973.

Open to researchers. It is essential to arrange an appointment in advance to view the archive in order that someone can be available to help. Please contact us by email at is-crc@ed.ac.uk . Telephone the Centre on: 0131 650 8900. Postal address: Centre for the Study of World Christianity, University of Edinburgh School of Divinity, New College, Mound Place, Edinburgh, EH1 2LX.

A paper catalogue is available to researchers at the Centre.

Description originally written and researched by Caroline Brown in June 2001. This had been added to Archives Hub in August 2012 by Louise Williams.

Reproduction of materials (for example by digital camera) is free for private research and educational use, although we ask researchers to sign an agreement. Please contact us for enquiries on using the material in a commercial setting, for which there will be a fee. Contact us by email at is-crc@ed.ac.uk . Telephone the Centre on: 0131 650 8900. Postal address: Centre for the Study of World Christianity, University of Edinburgh School of Divinity, New College, Mound Place, Edinburgh, EH1 2LX.

No further materials are expected to be added to this collection.